COLCHESTER's new Labour MP experienced a 'Portillo moment' on her first day - but this time there were no upsets for either party.

Pam Cox's, Colchester's new Labour MP, bumped into Michael Portillo, former Conservative politician and star of the Great British Railways BBC TV show, at Colchester Station. 

Mr Portillo was at Colchester filming for the 16th series of Great British Railways Journeys, while Pam Cox was returning from her first day in Parliament as a new MP.

Colchester - Michael Portillo was in Colchester filming for TV and met Colchester's new Labour MP Pam CoxColchester - Michael Portillo was in Colchester filming for TV and met Colchester's new Labour MP Pam Cox (Image: Colchester Labour)

The 'Portillo moment' refers to the declaration of the result for the Enfield Southgate constituency in the 1997 General Election, where the Conservative Cabinet minister Michael Portillo was defeated by Labour's Stephen Twigg.

The Guardian said in the 2024 election that the defeats of former PM Liz Truss, Penny Mordaunt, Gillian Keegan, Grant Shapps and Liz Truss were all new 'Portillo moments'.

The Telegraph said that 'The Truss Moment' is the new 'Portillo moment' in the latest election, with Ms Truss' declaration being made just before 7am.

This meant instead of being an indicator the Conservatives would lose like Mr Portillo did his seat at 3am, it was instead "another Tory stronghold in tatters".